A nearly diffraction limited surface emitting conjugated polymer laser utilizing a two-dimensional photonic band structure

We have fabricated a mechanically flexible conjugated polymer laser utilizi ng distributed feedback due to a two-dimensional photonic band structure. A n ultraviolet-embossing process is used for nanopatterning a plastic substr ate. On top we spin-coat a ladder-type poly(p-phenylene) as the active lase r medium. Upon optical pumping, we observe a low threshold and nearly diffr action limited monomode laser emission perpendicular to the surface. Our re sults are explained within a Laue formulation for the feedback mechanism in the two-dimensional organic photonic crystal. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)05137-8].